BOB BYRD, a reserve deputy for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, was joined by the Vancouver Police Department in a visit to the O.K. Clubhouse at the Vancouver Boys and Girls Club. Reserve deputies often volunteer for community outreach events such as this one.
When Debora Wonderly joined the Clark County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy in 2009, she was looking for an opportunity to be involved in her community.
“I’ve always been interested in law enforcement,” she said. “It seemed like an exceptional opportunity.”
Wonderly is now a lieutenant and has earned R4 ranking, which qualifies her to work independently in traffic enforcement, or on patrol with a full-time deputy or another reserve. She also has a full-time job and two children at home. The application and training process was challenging, she says. “You have to put the rest of your life on hold and have an understanding family.”
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has utilized a reserve deputy program since the 1950s. The investment is significant, starting with recruiting. To fill a class of 20 requires 400 candidates, says Wonderly. Applicants move through a series of tests and interviews before they ever begin their training. The first step is a written test, a physical test, and an oral board panel interview.
Those selected undergo a psychological examination, a medical examination, and a polygraph test. Candidates who pass these measures are admitted to the six month training academy, where they must attend all classes and pass a mid-term exam, a final exam, and a field skills test called “mock scenes.”
The reserve academy is condensed in hours compared to the five month training for full time deputies, but reserves must pass all the same testing, according to Sheriff Chuck Atkins. Students master the material in a stack of binders “this big” Atkins says, his hands two feet apart.
Following academy, reserve deputies spend the next year completing 288 hours of on the job training with a field training officer. Ultimately, a reserve deputy is a fully commissioned police officer.
Laws can change daily, says Atkins. Reserve deputies receive ongoing training and certify annually in core skills such as firearms use, pursuit driving, and airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
“You have to have a love for it and a desire to give back,” says Wonderly. But she emphasized how much she has enjoyed every part of the experience. “It’s like going back to school, but here you take classes that are fun and exciting.”
Wonderly also feels her experience in law enforcement has made her better at her career in finance. As a deputy she talks with all walks of people during a crisis in their lives, and learns to de-escalate tense situations. As a result, she finds she can stay calm and communicate effectively during any situation at her office job.
Deputies see more than the usual share of crisis and trauma, and reserve deputies are no exception. Good training, supportive colleagues, and professional counseling if needed help volunteer reserves to cope with difficult experiences on the job.
“It’s not always something you can bring home,” says Wonderly.
The training apparel, field equipment, and uniforms for a reserve deputy cost around $10,000, all of which is provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. Atkins is confident that this is money well spent, and would like to see the reserve deputy force expand from its current 31 members to as many as 50.
“(Reserves) play a vital role in our outreach and I always plan to use them,” Atkins said. “It’s an efficient use of resources as far as I’m concerned.”
In 2014, reserve deputies volunteered 8,600 hours for the Sheriff’s Office. A reserve deputy’s role is a mix of community events and patrol, says Atkins. Reserves never replace full time deputies to meet staffing quotas, but add to it. They allow the Sheriff’s Office to enhance their service to the sprawling areas they cover.
Some new ideas are on the horizon too. Atkins has just initiated a new bicycle patrol, which is unique to the reserve deputy program. Bicycle patrols will focus on large parks which are difficult to patrol by vehicle, and there is often no opportunity when citizen calls fill a deputy’s schedule. In addition, parks can be trouble spots due to their isolation. The sheriff’s department has acquired specially equipped bicycles, and reserves who volunteer for bike duty will complete training in operating the equipment and utilizing a bicycle over curbs, paths, and rough terrain.
Reserve deputies have the opportunity to experience a diverse law enforcement experience, according to Atkins. In addition to patrol, traffic enforcement, and community service such as parades and festivals, reserves can volunteer in corrections and booking or in the records or property rooms.
“Giving back” is the reason many reserve deputies volunteer their time. Having a chance to educate young drivers is one of the ways Wonderly feels she makes a difference. Cell phone use, no seat belts, and driving too fast are common infractions. She doesn’t hesitate to write a ticket when it’s needed, but she focuses on talking with the driver.
“It’s a great learning opportunity,” Wonderly says. “Hopefully when I leave them they are much better drivers.”
For some reserve deputies, their goal is to enter a career in law enforcement. The training and experience they gain often sets them apart in this competitive field.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Department is currently recruiting candidates for their 2016 class of reserve deputies. An informational meeting will be held on Mon., June 29 at 6:30 pm, at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct (Public Safety Complex), located at 505 NW 179th Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642. RSVP is required to CntySheriff.ReserveUnit@clark.wa.gov. More information is available at www.ccsoreserves.com.
